Nevada Just Increased Your Workers’ Comp Mileage Rate to 70 Cents
Starting January 1, 2025, injured workers in Nevada can now receive 70 cents per mile when traveling for medical treatment related to workplace injuries—up from 67 cents in 2024. If you’re driving back and forth to doctors’ appointments, physical therapy sessions, or pharmacy visits for your work injury, this increase means more money back in your pocket. Understanding how to properly claim these travel expenses can make a significant difference, especially when multiple medical visits add up over weeks or months of treatment.
đź’ˇ Pro Tip: Start documenting your medical travel immediately after your injury. Even if you haven’t filed for reimbursement yet, having accurate records from day one will strengthen your claim later.
Are you navigating the complexities of Nevada’s workers’ compensation mileage reimbursements? Partnering with Shook and Stone ensures you make the most of every dollar you’re entitled to. Call us at 702-570-0000 or contact us today to streamline your claim process.
Understanding Your Right to Medical Travel Reimbursement Under Nevada Law
Under Nevada Administrative Code 616C.150, all workers injured on the job have specific rights to mileage reimbursement when traveling for approved medical care. The law requires both private and public employers to compensate injured employees for transportation costs to medical appointments, rehabilitation sessions, and even legal hearings related to their workers’ compensation claims. A Workers Compensation Attorney can help ensure you’re receiving all the benefits you’re entitled to, including the new 70-cent-per-mile rate that aligns with the federal standard for 2025.
Nevada’s workers’ compensation travel expense reimbursement covers more than just doctor visits. You can claim mileage for trips to physical therapy, pharmacy visits for prescribed medications, independent medical examinations, and any other treatment your authorized physician deems necessary for your recovery. The key is understanding that you must travel more than 20 miles one way from your home or workplace, or accumulate 40 miles total in one week for medical care to qualify for reimbursement.
đź’ˇ Pro Tip: Nevada law allows reimbursement for actual transportation expenses if you consent and the cost doesn’t exceed what you’d receive through standard mileage. This means if you take a rideshare or taxi because you can’t drive due to your injury, keep those receipts.
Step-by-Step Process for Getting Your 70¢ Per Mile Reimbursement
Successfully claiming your medical travel expenses requires following the proper procedures and meeting specific deadlines. Many injured workers miss out on hundreds or even thousands of dollars in reimbursement simply because they don’t know the process or wait too long to file. Here’s exactly what you need to do to ensure you receive every cent you’re entitled to under Nevada’s 2025 mileage reimbursement rate increase.
- Submit your mileage expenses within 60 days of each travel date – missing this deadline could disqualify your reimbursement
- Use the official D-26 Application for Reimbursement of Claim Related Travel Expenses form provided by Nevada’s Division of Industrial Relations
- Calculate your exact mileage using Google Maps, Waze, or Bing Maps to ensure accuracy and avoid disputes
- Fill out one reimbursement form per month to simplify processing and reduce the chance of errors or delays
- Keep detailed logs noting the date, purpose, starting point, destination, and total miles for each medical trip
- Submit forms to your workers’ compensation insurance company, not your employer, unless self-insured
đź’ˇ Pro Tip: Take screenshots of your mapped routes when calculating mileage. Insurance companies sometimes dispute distances, and having visual proof from a recognized mapping service strengthens your claim.
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How a Workers Compensation Attorney Maximizes Your Travel Benefits
While the process might seem straightforward, insurance companies often create obstacles to minimize their payout obligations. They might dispute whether your treatment was necessary, claim you could have found care closer to home, or argue about the exact mileage calculations. This is where having an experienced Workers Compensation Attorney becomes invaluable. Shook and Stone has extensive experience helping injured Nevada workers secure full compensation for all their injury-related expenses, including the newly increased mileage reimbursement rate.
Working with a knowledgeable attorney ensures you don’t leave money on the table. For instance, many workers don’t realize that if they travel more than 50 miles one way and need to stay overnight for treatment, they can receive additional reimbursement based on state employee rates or actual costs, whichever is less. Your attorney will ensure all these lesser-known benefits are included in your claim, potentially adding hundreds of dollars to your reimbursement.
đź’ˇ Pro Tip: If your employer’s insurance company denies or reduces your mileage reimbursement, don’t accept it as final. Document their reasoning and consult with an attorney immediately – many denials are reversed when properly challenged.
Special Circumstances That Affect Your Mileage Reimbursement
Not all medical travel situations are created equal under Nevada law. Understanding these special circumstances can mean the difference between receiving full compensation and missing out on benefits you deserve. For example, construction workers injured on Las Vegas job sites often need specialized care that isn’t available nearby, potentially qualifying them for enhanced travel benefits. Similarly, employees injured at Nevada’s major resorts or Amazon warehouses might face unique transportation challenges that affect their reimbursement eligibility.
When Standard Mileage Rules Don’t Apply
Several situations can affect your standard mileage reimbursement. If a state vehicle was available but you chose to drive your personal car for convenience, your reimbursement drops to half the normal rate—just 35 cents per mile in 2025. Additionally, if you violate safety rules during work-related travel, such as not wearing a seatbelt, your workers’ compensation benefits could be reduced by up to 30 percent. A Workers Compensation Attorney can advise you on avoiding these pitfalls and ensuring you maintain full eligibility for benefits.
đź’ˇ Pro Tip: Always follow your employer’s vehicle use policies and safety rules during medical travel. Document any reasons why you couldn’t use provided transportation to protect your full reimbursement rate.
Meal Reimbursement and Overnight Travel Benefits
Beyond the 70-cent mileage rate, Nevada law provides additional reimbursements that many injured workers overlook. When your medical appointments require early morning departure (before 7 a.m.), span the lunch hour (11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.), or keep you out past dinner (after 7 p.m.), you’re entitled to meal reimbursement at state employee rates. These additional benefits can significantly offset the financial burden of seeking necessary medical care far from home.
Calculating Your Total Travel Compensation
Let’s say you’re traveling from North Las Vegas to a specialist 60 miles away. Round trip, that’s 120 miles at 70 cents per mile, equaling $84 in mileage alone. Add meal reimbursements if your appointment spans lunch, and potential overnight accommodations if required, and a single medical visit could generate over $200 in reimbursements. Many workers leave this money unclaimed simply because they don’t know it’s available. Working with a Workers Compensation Attorney ensures you capture every dollar of compensation allowed under Nevada’s 2025 mileage reimbursement rate increase.
đź’ˇ Pro Tip: Keep all meal receipts during medical travel days, even if you’re unsure about eligibility. Your attorney can determine which expenses qualify and ensure they’re included in your reimbursement claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions About Nevada’s New Mileage Rate
With the recent increase to 70 cents per mile, many injured workers have questions about how this change affects their existing claims and future reimbursements. Understanding these details helps ensure you receive every benefit available under Nevada law.
đź’ˇ Pro Tip: If you have pending mileage reimbursements from 2024, submit them separately from your 2025 claims to avoid confusion about which rate applies.
Next Steps for Maximizing Your Benefits
Taking the right steps now can significantly impact your total compensation. From proper documentation to timely filing, each action builds toward securing the full benefits you deserve for your workplace injury.
đź’ˇ Pro Tip: Create a dedicated folder (physical or digital) for all your workers’ compensation documents, including mileage logs, receipts, and correspondence. Organization makes the reimbursement process much smoother.
1. Does the 70-cent rate apply to all medical appointments for my workers’ comp claim?
Yes, the 70-cent-per-mile rate applies to all approved medical travel starting January 1, 2025, including doctor visits, physical therapy, pharmacy trips, and independent medical examinations. However, you must meet the minimum distance requirements: either 20 miles one way or 40 miles total in one week.
2. What if my workers’ comp insurance company says they’re still using the 2024 rate?
Insurance companies must comply with Nevada Administrative Code 616C.150, which mandates reimbursement at the state employee mileage rate. As of January 1, 2025, this is 70 cents per mile. If they refuse to pay the correct rate, document their response and contact a Nevada Workers’ Compensation lawyer immediately.
3. Can I get reimbursed for parking fees and tolls in addition to mileage?
While Nevada law specifically addresses mileage reimbursement, additional transportation expenses like parking fees and tolls are often reimbursable as “actual transportation expenses” if they’re necessary for your medical care. Keep all receipts and consult with your Las Vegas Workers’ Compensation attorney about including these costs.
4. What happens if I forget to submit my mileage within the 60-day deadline?
Missing the 60-day submission deadline can jeopardize your reimbursement, but it’s not always fatal to your claim. Document the reason for the delay and submit your claim as soon as possible. An experienced Workers’ Compensation lawsuit Las Vegas attorney may be able to help establish good cause for the late filing.
5. How do I prove my mileage if the insurance company disputes my calculations?
Use recognized mapping services like Google Maps, Waze, or Bing Maps to calculate distances, and take screenshots showing the route and mileage. Print these records when you submit your D-26 form. Having a Las Vegas workplace injury lawyer review your documentation before submission can prevent disputes.
Work with a Trusted Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Navigating Nevada’s workers’ compensation system becomes significantly easier with experienced legal guidance. While you can file for mileage reimbursement on your own, having a knowledgeable advocate ensures you receive every benefit available under the law, including the new 70-cent-per-mile rate and often-overlooked meal and overnight allowances. Remember, providing false information on reimbursement forms can disqualify you from benefits and subject you to criminal and civil penalties, making accuracy crucial. Whether you’re dealing with a complex Workers’ Compensation claim Las Vegas or simply want to ensure your travel expenses are properly compensated, professional legal assistance protects your rights and maximizes your recovery.
Navigating the ins and outs of Nevada’s workers’ comp mileage reimbursements can be a tall order. Let Shook and Stone guide you through the process and ensure you’re claiming every penny available. Reach out today at 702-570-0000 or contact us to make sure your travel expenses are covered smoothly and efficiently.
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